The Buffalo Bills surprised the NFL community last week by trading star WR Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
Now, the big question looms: What version of Diggs will the Texans receive? Will it be the one who dominated in Buffalo, leading the league in catches for four years and starting the 2023 season with 100 receiving yards in five out of his first six games? Or will it be the version that seemed to decline as the season progressed?
There are several potential reasons for Diggs’ sudden drop in production. He might be entering the latter stages of his career, having turned 30 last November, an age when many top wide receivers experience a decline in performance. There’s also the possibility of an undisclosed injury, although Diggs didn’t miss any games last season, he was listed with a back issue in Week 10 before his numbers took a nosedive. Additionally, his strained relationship with the Buffalo Bills could have played a role.
However, the most probable explanation seems to be the change in offensive coordinator from Ken Dorsey to Joe Brady. Diggs’ productivity significantly decreased after Brady took over in Week 11, spanning the final nine games of the season, including playoffs. During this period, Diggs had the lowest yards per reception average (8.8) among wide receivers under Brady’s tenure.
Furthermore, Diggs wasn’t as central to the offense under Brady as he had been in previous years. He saw less playing time, with his snap rate dropping from 87% to 77%. The Bills also passed less frequently, with the dropback rate decreasing from 63% to 53%, and Diggs’ target share dwindled, particularly in crucial situations where one would expect the top receiver to be targeted.
Regardless of how Diggs performs in Houston, the Bills now face a pressing need for a dynamic wide receiver. With both Gabe Davis and Diggs now departed, having a true superstar No. 1 receiver who can dominate games has been pivotal to Josh Allen’s career thus far.
Buffalo Bills Land Broncos Star WR Courtland Sutton In Blockbuster Trade Proposal
The Denver Broncos have already made significant moves in their roster, trading away top wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for draft picks and parting ways with starting quarterback Russell Wilson and All-Pro safety Justin Simmons. These actions signal a clear shift towards rebuilding for the Broncos.
Given this context, General Manager George Paton should be eager to explore trading Courtland Sutton for additional draft assets. The Buffalo Bills appear to be an ideal destination for the 28-year-old wide receiver.
In late January, Courtland Sutton posted a cryptic message on social media, suggesting that his time with the Broncos might be coming to an end.
Currently, the Buffalo Bills’ top three wide receivers consist of Curtis Samuel, a recent free agent acquisition, along with Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir, both of whom have their limitations. While the Bills could certainly add another weapon for quarterback Josh Allen with the No. 28 pick in the draft, acquiring Courtland Sutton at a reasonable price would significantly bolster their offensive capabilities, particularly in the absence of Stefon Diggs.
Despite facing below-average quarterback play for much of his tenure in Denver, Sutton has consistently delivered over his six seasons with the team. His most impressive statistical season came in 2019, when he recorded 72 receptions, 1,112 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns, with an average of over 15 yards per catch.
Moreover, Sutton has maintained solid production in recent years, recording at least 58 receptions and averaging at least 13 yards per catch over the last three seasons. In the previous year, he amassed 772 yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and reliability as a wide receiver.
What Can The Buffalo Bills Offer For Courtland Sutton?
If Buffalo only received a second-round pick for Stefon Diggs, they could reasonably expect to acquire Courtland Sutton at a more affordable price. Total Pro Sports suggests that a combination of mid-level draft picks could suffice to secure Sutton’s services, along with a sixth-round draft pick in return.
Their proposed trade scenario involves the Buffalo Bills offering their 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 133 overall) and fifth-round pick (No. 163 overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Sutton and a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 203 overall).
This trade would provide quarterback Josh Allen with a potential new No. 1 receiver in Sutton, who has consistently surpassed 700 receiving yards in each of his five healthy NFL seasons. At worst, Sutton could serve as a solid No. 2 option, with Curtis Samuel or a rookie (if Buffalo selects a wide receiver in the first round) potentially stepping into the No. 1 role.
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